In this article, I will show you how to install WSUS console on Windows Server. We will install WSUS admin console using Server Manager and PowerShell.
When you install the WSUS role on a Windows Server, the WSUS console is automatically installed. However if you want to manually install the WSUS console on Windows Server, the steps to install it are different.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) enables the administrators to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates. WSUS is a Windows Server role and when you install it, you can efficiently manage and deploy the updates.
In the past, I have published several posts on WSUS. That includes installing WSUS and configuring WSUS. In addition to that I also published a post on WSUS troubleshooting.
After installing WSUS role on a server, you can manage WSUS from any computer on your network by installing the WSUS admin console.
You can install the WSUS administration console using 2 methods.
- Manually install WSUS console using Server Manager.
- Using PowerShell, install the WSUS administration console.
The PowerShell method is the recommended way to install the WSUS admin console because it’s much quicker than installing WSUS console via Server Manager.
Method 1 – Install WSUS Console on Windows Server
Let’s look at the steps to install the WSUS console on Windows Server. On Windows Server, launch the Server Manager. On the Configure this local server page, click Add roles and features.
On Before you begin window, click Next. If you want to avoid seeing this window again, you can select skip this page by default.
Select the installation type as Role-based or feature-based installation. Click Next.
On the Sever selection window, ensure it’s the right server chosen to install the WSUS console. Click Next.
On the Select Server roles window, you don’t have to select anything. Click Next.
The Features window is where you enable the installation of WSUS console. Expand Role Administration Tools. Enable Windows Server Update Services Tools. The API and PowerShell cmdlets and User Interface Management console are also selected. Click Next.
On the Confirmation window, click Specify an alternate source path. Enter the path of the SXS folder from Windows Server installation media. Click Next.
The WSUS console now installs, and you can view the installation progress on Results window. Feature installation succeeded on Windows Server confirms that WSUS console has been installed.
Installing WSUS console on a server doesn’t require restarting the computer. Close the Add roles and features wizard window.
Now click Start and search for WSUS console and launch the WSUS console. Once the console launches, you can right-click Update Services and click Connect to Server.
You must specify the WSUS server to which you want to connect to. If you have existing WSUS server, enter the WSUS Server name and port number.
If you wish to use SSL to communicate with the WSUS server, select the Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to connect to this server check box. You may connect to as many servers as you need to manage through the console.
Method 2 – Install WSUS Admin Console using PowerShell
Using PowerShell you can install the WSUS console on a computer with following steps.
- Launch the PowerShell as Administrator.
- Run the command
Install-WindowsFeature -Name UpdateServices-Uito install WSUS console. - Exit code success means the WSUS console has been installed successfully.
- You can now launch the Windows Server Update Services console and connect to WSUS server.
